Italian stocks closed higher on Wednesday as sector strength in Technology, Travel & Leisure and Industrials helped lift the market. At the close in Milan, the Italy 40 index increased 1.63%.
Among components of the Italy 40, Fincantieri SpA (BIT:FCT) was the session's top gainer, rising 5.98% - up 0.74 points to finish at 13.11. STMicroelectronics (BIT:STMMI) added 4.49%, or 1.24 points, to close at 28.76. Prysmian SpA (BIT:PRY) also advanced, gaining 3.80% - a rise of 3.60 points to 98.42 in late trade.
On the downside, Inwit (BIT:INWT) recorded the largest drop among Italy 40 constituents, falling 2.83% or 0.19 points to end the session at 6.70. Ferrari NV (BIT:RACE) declined 1.04%, retreating 2.90 points to a close of 276.40. Telecom Italia (BIT:TLIT) slipped 0.73% to 0.60, the report shows.
Market breadth on the Milan Stock Exchange was tilted toward advancing names, with 465 stocks rising against 174 decliners and 41 unchanged at the close.
Commodities trading saw notable moves. Crude oil for May delivery fell 1.91%, down $1.76 to $90.59 a barrel. Brent oil for June delivery dropped 3.11%, a fall of $3.12 to $97.11 a barrel. Precious metals moved in the opposite direction as the June Gold Futures contract climbed 3.29%, gaining $146.00 to trade at $4,580.10 a troy ounce.
The foreign exchange market recorded modest shifts. EUR/USD was unchanged 0.35% to 1.16, while EUR/GBP was unchanged 0.09% to 0.86. The U.S. Dollar Index Futures rose 0.13% to 99.37.
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